Here is the full schedule for Contemplative Community Week:
Contemplative Community Week
September 19-23
Depth. Connection. Wholeness.
We are excited to announce our third annual Contemplative Community Week for September 19 – 23! This is a week of presentations, meditation, prayer, and contemplative practices aimed at inviting the whole Seton Hall community to promote holistic well-being, enter into study more thoughtfully and deeply, and form stronger personal and communal bonds. Events and resources for the week will be shared in a variety of modalities – in-person and virtual, indoor and outdoor, synchronous and asynchronous. We are grateful to our co-sponsors for bringing this week to fruition: the Center for Faculty Development, Counseling and Psychological Services, Campus Ministry, Hillel, the Student Occupational Therapy Association, and Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology. Continue below for the full week’s schedule, links, and additional resources.
Monday, Sept. 19
Guided Meditation for Classes
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday of this week members of the Community of St. John are available to lead a brief Christian meditation at the beginning of classes. Interested faculty should contact Br. John (brjohncsj@gmail.com).
1:00pm: One SHU, One Breath
Location: Wherever you are
At 1:00pm today all members of the SHU community are invited to pause whatever they are doing to take one deep, intentional breath. The One University – One Breath initiative was originated by the Project for Mindfulness and Contemplation at the University of St. Thomas, Minnesota. We express our gratitude to our friends at St. Thomas for sharing this idea.
3:00-4:00pm Student Wellness Event
Location: IHS Campus, Room 3415
IHS students will be able to learn stress management tools through the use of various wellness activities, including stress-relief coloring, mindfulness bingo, and a game called “Throwing Mindfulness Around.” Sponsored by the Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA).
8:00-9:00pm Taize Prayer Service
Location: Immaculate Conception Chapel
Join us for a calming evening of prayerful music in the style of the Taize community in France. Click here for a sample. Priests will also be on hand to hear confessions for anyone who is interested. All are welcome.
Practice of the Day: Mindful Eating
Each day this week we will recommend a mindfulness practice. Today try eating one of your meals “mindfully”. Here’s how: https://ro.co/health-guide/mindful-eating/
Resource of the Day: Nod app
This app combines science and student-powered design to give students the skills they need to build meaningful social connections. Take guided steps to progress toward your social goals, complete exercises to reduce negative thoughts and build resilience, and hear from fellow students working toward the same goals. https://heynod.com/
Tuesday, Sept. 20
12:00-1:00pm Contemplative Practices in the Classroom
Location: Jubilee Hall 132
Join Dr. Ruth Tsuria and Dr. Chad Thralls for a discussion of resources they have created for faculty who would like to incorporate contemplative practices into their Core courses or other humanities courses.
12:00-1:00pm Contemplative Pedagogy and Trauma-Informed Care: Supporting Student Growth from Classroom to Clinic
Location: Virtual (Zoom – Passcode: VNjSt7)
In this presentation Dr. Meryl Picard will provide an overview of Contemplative Pedagogy and TIC principles, along with ideas to thoughtfully integrate Trauma-Informed Contemplative Pedagogy (TICP) into the classroom.
1:00-1:30pm Walking Meditation
Location: The Green (meet at the seal)
Meditate through movement with this walking meditation led by Dr. Kelly Shea of the English Department.
2:00-3:00pm Breathing Exercises to Reduce Stress
Location: Virtual (Zoom)
Learn how to incorporate the power of breathing exercises to reduce stress and anxiety. This wellness webinar is provided through Human Resources. Register here.
4:00-5:00pm Student Wellness Event
Location: IHS Campus, Room 3415
IHS students will be able to learn stress management tools through the use of various wellness activities, including stress-relief coloring, mindfulness bingo, and a game called “Throwing Mindfulness Around.” Sponsored by the Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA).
Practice of the Day: Mindful Pause
Today whenever you hear a bell or chime (a phone, on your computer, the bell on campus), stop whatever you are doing and take a deep breath before continuing with your activity.
Resource of the Day: Headspace app
“Meditation and mindfulness for any mind, any mood, any goal.” Sleep better, reduce anxiety, relieve stress, feel better, relax. Free trial available. https://www.headspace.com/
Wednesday, Sept. 21
4:30-5:45pm Virtual Retreat with Dr. Karen Eifler
Location: Virtual (Microsoft Teams)
Join Dr. Karen Eifler of the University of Portland for this interactive retreat inspired by the great Benedictine mystic Hildegard of Bingen. Experience spiritual exercises for “greening” our lives (i.e., making them more full of life and balance) and leave with tools to keep yourself “green” through all seasons of life and of the year. Participants should be advised that this event will be recorded.
Practice of the Day: Gratitude
Sit quietly. Reflect on the many things you are grateful for. Write down three of them.
Resource of the Day: Gratitude Revealed
Select from among 15 beautiful film shorts to explore what gratitude is, why it’s important and what we can all do to live more gracious lives: https://movingart.com/gratitude-revealed/
Thursday, Sept. 22
12:00-1:15pm Kata Holos Lunch and Conversation Series with Dr. Marianne Lloyd
Location: Mooney Hall 339
Join psychology professor Dr. Marianne Lloyd and moderator Dr. Patrick Manning for a candid conversation about what it means to strive for wholeness in one’s life, what practices and resources support this wholeness, and what sometimes gets in the way. Lunch will be provided and space is limited, so registration is required.
Practice of the Day: Email/Text mindfully
Learn how: https://www.mindful.org/the-six-rules-of-conscious-emailing/
Resource of the Day: Hallow app
“Hallow is an excellent resource for people searching for deeper spiritual lives….” A Catholic app for prayer and meditation, Hallow is also a resource for sleep, calming music, journaling, scripture, inspiration and more. https://hallow.com/
Friday, September 23rd
1:00-2:00pm: “New Year, New You” – DIY Candied Apples
Location: Schwartz Hall 111
Join Hillel, the Jewish organization on campus, for this celebration of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. All are welcome.
Practice of the Day: Beholding
Find a tree (or a stream or clouds, etc.) and watch it attentively for 5 minutes. Try to notice details that you would normally overlook.
Resource: Garrison Institute Virtual Sanctuary
A virtual space for connection and balance. Participate in retreats and meditation sessions, learn about mental health and contemplative practice in webinars and articles, and explore other resources. https://www.garrisoninstitute.org/the-garrison-institute-forum/
More Contemplative Community Week Opportunities:
Videos of previous Contemplative Community events
Check out the Contemplative Community YouTube playlist for talks on how mindfulness can improve your performance in various areas of work and life, how to use technology mindfully, a musical meditation, and more.
Book Display at Walsh Library
Check out this display of books on mindfulness, contemplative practices and prayer, and a variety of other contemplative topics at the end of the reference book stacks on the second floor of the library (near the photocopiers and Dunkin Donuts). The book titles can also be viewed online.
Don’t want this week to end?
If you would like keep learning about contemplation and/or continuing nurturing a contemplative practice, consider the following:
- Join the Contemplative Community Teams group (open to all) or the Contemplative Pedagogy Teams group (for faculty) to explore more resources and connect with others.
- Join faculty and staff Thursdays at 12:30pm on Teams for a weekly guided meditation.
- Be on the lookout for announcements about spring 2023 faculty development opportunities.
Share Your Feedback
Please take a few minutes to complete this brief survey and offer your feedback on Contemplative Community Week and/or share your contact info so you can stay connected with the Contemplative Community Initiative.